Theta Chi - University of Florida

Garrick bonded with David Brevda '07 when they worked together on Gator Growl 2009. David's older brother, Mike '03, was already in law school at UF and let them stay in his on-campus house in the summer of 2009. In 2022, Garrick joined the two brothers at Senior Justice Law Firm, where they fight for the rights of nursing home and assisted living facility residents who are abused and neglected throughout the entire state of Florida. Forever a Servant Leader Even throughout Garrick's years at UF Levin College of Law, he remained an engaged alumnus of Theta Chi. Tau Chapter could not hold a normal pledge program during its 2012-13 year, so Garrick united with brothers, including Brian Seel '04, Clay Sweger '97, and Jason Glazer '95, to run a volunteer pledge program in its stead. He also became the Chapter's external house leader, helping brothers secure leadership positions—and over 20 memberships in Florida Blue Key, where he served as president in 2014. In the 2014-15 school year, Garrick added Tau to his already-heavy workload once again as the "House Dad" for the newly constructed Theta Chi Mansion. "I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with the Chapter in the new house; keeping them out of trouble was incredibly fun and rewarding." Garrick graduated from law school in 2015, and before Senior Justice Law Firm he served his community as a prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office, 15th Circuit in Palm Beach County. He now lives in West Palm Beach and enjoys boating with his wife, Danielle, and their dog, Barniby; he also loves tailgating outside The Swamp. If you'd like to connect with Garrick, reach him at garrick@seniorjustice.com. PAGE 2 TAU TOPICS F raternities offer many new opportunities to young men, especially those prepared to step into leadership roles. Though Joe Guay '15 didn't know anyone at the University of Florida as a freshman, he quickly found camaraderie in the brotherhood he joined with six fellow freshmen from his dorm floor. "There was a perfect mix of good nature, unity, and tradition that made the group and process as a whole very inviting," Joe said about recruitment. Once he joined Tau Chapter, Joe enjoyed four years of big events like initiation, tailgates, and trips with brothers. Learning to Lead Through the fun times, Joe also learned valuable lessons about leadership and responsibility. Following a year as VP of recruitment, Joe was motivated to continue investing in Tau Chapter by running for chapter president. "The life skills of time management, patience, and composure are strengthened in a position like this," Joe mentioned. "It gave me the confidence to lead a group at a young age—a skill that I believe I would not yet have developed today had I not been elected." A Career in Healthcare Tau Chapter's alumni provided invaluable insight for Joe during his presidency, and this experience prepared him for the professional world later in life. Joe earned a full-time position with CVS Health following an internship, serving as a contractor and project manager. He later joined Clover Health, a value-based care tech startup where he gained sales experience. He then moved into a senior associate role with Stellar Health, a similar startup that provides technology for primary care providers. Joe is proud of the 180-person company's ability to help providers fill missing gaps in care for nearly one million patients on Stellar Health's platform. "I truly believe in the mission of this organization and the reach we have, and I would be glad to connect with any brothers to share more about what we do." Reflecting on Brotherhood It's hard not to look back at college and think about how quickly brothers went their separate ways into adulthood, but fortunately, Joe and fellow alumni still manage to stay connected. He makes sure to return to Gainesville for a game day every Fall, and Joe is thankful to see old friends while revisiting the house. Residing in Manhattan, Joe enjoys spending time with alumni brothers in the city. As president, he appreciated the guidance of Realty Board President Brad Jones '96. He was glad to meet Brad and his wife, Laura, for dinner in NYC when they came to town. Joe also enjoys traveling when he can. He visits family back home in Connecticut, and he recently returned from a London trip with friends. He is planning to visit Europe with his family over the summer. Through his service to Tau Chapter and the memories he made with brothers, Joe is incredibly thankful for his Theta Chi experience. He urges anyone who wants to get in touch to connect with him at jguay97@gmail.com. Joe Guay '15 on Making the Most of His Theta Chi Experience "I'm grateful for Theta Chi—for how it molded me into the man I am today and for the lifelong best friends and brothers that make my life what it is." "I am a firm believer that you get out of something what you put into it." LEADING WITH A HELPING HAND (Continued from page 1) Enjoying Every D ay

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